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Talk and Listen, that's the best advice I can give.Jun 12 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Talk and listen to your teenagers.
My son, Sean, turned 13 years old at the end of January. After raising two other teenage boys, I had some idea what I was in store for. I prepared myself for the inevitable, rebellion, a lot of backtalk, sneaking out, and of course experimentation with alcohol, drugs and sex. Oh goodness, why can't they stay little forever! I must admit Sean has really surprised me. Sure he's your average teenager who will occasionally talk back, but other than that I really can't complain. He's managed to maintain his good grades, even making the honor roll three marking periods this year! He does his chores, is home by curfew, and even calls if he's going to be late. Now you may be wondering, what did I do to deserve such a great kid. To be perfectly honest with you, I'm not quite sure. I try to have a very open relationship with Sean. I want him to know he can come to me with any question or problem he may have, and I will listen with an open mind and not judge him. This approach has worked very well. I've discussed drinking and alcohol with him and was surprised to hear that he thinks the kids who drink and do drugs are stupid! What a relief! He has decided that he wants to go to college and get his education and then hopefully be drafted by a major league baseball team. These goals he has set for himself don't allow for messing his body and mind up just to fit in. I have never been so proud! In fact, Sean even came to me after a school dance and announced proudly to me that he had had his first *french* kiss. As a Mom I didn't know whether to congratulate him or be horrified, but just knowing he trusted me with that personal information meant the world to me. I guess what I'm trying to say is to talk to your teenagers. Ask how things are going in school, meet their friends, know where they are going and who they will be with. Try to remember what it was like to actually be 13 and all the changes you went through, both physically and mentally. Most of all let your children know that you are there for them and love them no matter what mistakes they may make, after all they are still just kids. I would like to share a poem Sean wrote for me for Mother's Day, although he's not a poet , this poem is framed and displayed proudly on my livingroom wall. MOM "You are the greatest. You care for me each day. You go through heck to make me happy. You love me from day to day. You're always there to make me smile, when I'm having a bad day. You try your best to cheer me up even though it's a hard task. You say good-bye and that you love me every morning no matter what. I couldn't live without that, it really jump-starts my day. I upset you from day to day, I want you to know that I'm sorry, and I Love You anyway. You mean the world to me even though I don't show it enough. I'm sorry for the bad times I put you through. You're my Mom, I Love You truly every single day. I hope for you the greatest day for being the greatest Mom." Love: Sean Don't I have a great kid?  |
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